Keysight E4368A/908 – E4360A SAS Mainframe with Two E4362A Modules and Rackmount

• Package with E4360A mainframe
• Includes two E4362A modules
• Includes option 903 power cord (USA, 120V)
• If option 904 power cord is needed (USA, 240V), please contact us at 877-571-7901
• Includes option 908 rack mount kit

The Keysight E4368A/908 is a package containing an E4360A mainframe, two E4362A modules and a rackmount (option 908). Please note, this instrument includes the option 903 power cord (USA, 120V).

The Keysight E4360A Modular Solar Array Simulator (SAS) is a DC current source with very low output capacitance that simulates the output characteristics of a solar array. It is capable of simulating the I-V curve of a solar array under different conditions such as temperature and age.

The I-V curve is programmable over the GPIB, LAN, and USB interface as well as from the front panel.

The following is a brief overview of E4362A performance with 120V input (option 903). For more detailed information, please view the document linked here beginning on page 8. Performance at 120V and 240V input are not the same.

Simulator and table mode

• Maximum open circuit voltage (Voc): 130V
• Maximum voltage point (Vmp): 120V
• Maximum short circuit current (Isc): 2.5A
• Maximum current point (Imp): 2.5A
• Fixed mode
• Voltage: 0-120V
• Current: 0-2.5A

The E4360 SAS provides three operating modes, Simulator (SAS), Table and Fixed modes. To accurately simulate the I-V cure of a solar array, use SAS or table modes. When a standard power supply is needed, use fixed mode.

The E4360 SAS internally generates a 4,096 I-V point table. An internal algorithm is used to approximate an I-V curve. This can be done via the I/O interfaces or from the front panel where a PC is not needed. These four input parameters are needed to establish a curve in this mode:

Vₒ꜀ – open circuit voltage

Iₛ꜀ – short circuit voltage

Iₘₚ – current at the peak power point on the curve

Vₘₚ – voltage at the peak power point on the curve

The I-V curve is determined by a user-defined table of points. A table can have a minimum of 3 points, up to a maximum of 4000 points. A point corresponds to a specific value of I and V. As many as 30 tables may be stored in each of the E4360 SAS built-in volatile and non-volatile memory. The tables (I-V curve) stored in this non-volatile memory will be retained when the power is turned off, while those stored in volatile memory will be erased after power is removed.

Additionally, current and voltage offsets can be applied to the selected table to simulate a change in the operating conditions of the solar array.

This is the default mode when the unit is powered on. The unit has the rectangular I-V characteristics of a standard power supply.

The E4360 offers fast curve changes to enable better simulation of solar arrays under various environmental conditions, like eclipse and spin. The resolution of the I-V curve can be set to optimize the I-V curve for resolution or fast curve change.

In simulation (SAS) mode and table mode, you can select high resolution which uses a 4,096 point table to generate a smoother I-V curve within 350 msec. For fast I-V curve generation, you can select the 256 point table that quickly generates an I-V curve within 30 msec. All the E4360 SAS in the system can be synchronized to change their I-V curves at the same time using the hardware trigger, such that I-V curves can be changed on up to 100 outputs within 30 msec or 350 msec based on resolution setting.

The E4360 offers a LIST mode that lets you pre-program a LIST of up to 512 I-V curves. Program up to 512 sets of points, where each set of points include curve parameters: Voc, Vmp, Isc, and Imp. A dwell time of 30 ms to 33,554 seconds with 1 ms resolution can be specified and the E4360 SAS will stay (i.e. dwell) at the set point for the programmed dwell time value. Alternately, the LIST can be paced (advanced to the next set point) by a bus trigger or it can be paced by a trigger signal which enables synchronization of the LIST with an external event. Utilizing I-V curve lists speed up test execution by removing the computer I/O from the process and simplifies I-V curve change more easily simulating the solar array under various conditions.